Apparatus for preparing, handling, and vulcanizing tires or other rubber products.



No. 758,864. PATENTED MAY 3, 1904. E. C. SHAW. APPARATUS FOR PREPARING,HANDLING, AND VULGANIZING TIRES OR OTHER RUBBER PRODUCTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1903.

g INVENTOR W 1Q WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY m: mums Firms cc. mommrnou wnsnmcwuuo c No. 758,864. PATENTEDMAY 8, 1904. E. G. SHAW APPARATUS FOR PREPARING, HANDLING, ANDVULOANIZING TIRES OR OTHER RUBBER PRODUCTS. A/PPLIGATION FILED JUNE 17,1903.

No. 758,864. PATENTED MAY 3, 1904. E. O. SHAW.

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING, HANDLING, AND VULGANIZING TIRES OR OTHER RUBBERPRODUCTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 BHEETS-SHEET 3h FIGB.

6/ FIG7 Lil Patented May 3, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

EDVIN OOUPLAND SHAV, OF AKRON, OHl'O, ASSH-rNOR TO THE B. F. GOODRIOHCOMPANY OF OHIO, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING, HANDLING, AND VULCANiZlNG TIRES OR OTHER RUBBERPRODUCTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,864, d t d M 3,1904 Application filed June 17, 1903. Serial No. 161,887. (No model.)

Be it known that I, EDWIN CoUrLAND SHAW, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at the city of Akron, county of Summit, and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatusfor Preparing, Handling, and Vulcanizing Tires or other Rubber Products,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to apparatus designed forpreparing, handling, and vulcanizing vehicle-wheel tires made instraight lengths, usually about fifteen feet long, and vulcanized inheavy metal molds of about the same length. These molds requireconsiderable labor to manipulate them,which involves cleaning them,filling them with green-rublmr-tire stock, transferring the filled moldsto a heater for vulcanizing the tires therein, then cooling the molds,and finally removing the cured tires from the molds.

The main object of my invention is to provide simple and efficientapparatus operative with marked economy of time, labor, and fuel andassuring quick and easy handling of the heavy tire-molds at all stagesof their preparation and permitting nearlycontinuons operation of theheater or vulcanizer upon unusually large successive charges of tires inthe molds, while improving the quality of the cured-rubber product.

The invention in its most complete embodiment consists in thearrangement for correlated operation of mold-cars, means transferrlngthe molds from preparing-tables to the cars, a vulcanizer, amold-cooling pit, an elevator working at the pit and upon which the carsloaded with newly-filled molds are run to allow the molds to be chargedfrom the cars into the vulcanizer and onto which cars the hot molds aredischarged from the vulcanizer to be at once lowered into thecooling-pit by the elevator, which then is ready to receive a succeedingcar-load of newly-filled molds to allow them to be charged from the carinto the vulcanizer, the whole cycle of operations permitting dischargeof one series of molds from the vulcanizer and the charglng of asucceeding series of molds into the vulcanizer without requiring ltsdoor to long remain open,

thereby preventing excessive loss of heat by 'adiation from thevulcanizer.

The invention also includes special constructions of the vulcanizer andmold-cars whereby a heavy stack of filled mol'ds may quickly andautomatically be run from a car into the vulcanizcr and back from thevulcanizer to the car.

The invention also includes various constructions and combinations ofparts of the apparatus permitting quick clamping of the molds to holdthem closed during vulcanization of their contents and assuringconvenience and economy in operation and promoting maximum durability ofthe entire apparatus, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, in which- Figure .1 is a sectional plan view of portionof a factory-building in which my improved apparatus is set up and withthe preferred double-decked elevator lowered and showing a car-load ofmolds on its upper deck. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectionalview taken on the line :1 .r in Fig. 1 and shows a car-load of molds onthe lower deck of the elevator in the cooling-pit and also shows asecond car-load of prepared molds on the upper deck of the elevatorready for charging them into the open vulcanizing-press. Fig. 3 is adetail transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 1/ 1 in Fig.1 and shows the elevator raised and holding on its lower deck a carloadof cooled molds which have just been raised from the cooling-pit andwith the empty car which had brought this load of molds to thevulcanizer standing on the extension-rails beyond the elevator. Figs. 4and 5 are respectively enlarged detail front and sectional side viewsshowing the preferred vulcanizerdoor fastenings. Fig. 6 is an enlargedlongitudinal vertical sectional view of the vulcanizer-press andportions of one mold-car and the elevator and shows the charge of moldsmoved by the press and car roller-carriers nearly into the press. Fig. 7is a detail sectional View of a preferred grab-coupling as engaged withthe roller-carrier shafts of a mold-car and the vulcanizing-press. Fig.8 is a detail sectional plan view of the doorclosed end of the press andthe adjacent end of a mold-car, the grab-coupling being removed. Fig. 9is a vertical sectional View of the upper deck of the mold-car elevatorand an endview of the press and car and shows a charge of molds movingforward from the car into the press as in Fig. 1, and Fig. 10 is adetail transverse vertical sectional elevation taken through the presson the line .2 2 in Fig. 6.

The numeral 1 indicates the walls of a factory-building, on the floor 2of which are erected, preferably, two opposite series of tables 3 4,each series preferably comprising six tables on which to place the molds5 for filling them with prepared rubber-tire stock. Each of these moldsmay receive ten straight vehicle-wheel tires, and the sixmolds preparedateach series of tables 3 4 are adapted to be charged at once into avulcanizing-press 6, which has capacity for vulcanizing the unusualnumber of sixty large tires at each charge. Series of overhead tracks 7are fastened to cross-beams 8, and on these tracks run traveling hoists9, each having suitable grapples 10, by which the rubber-filled molds 5may be lifted from the tables 3 4 and easily stacked with metalcross-bars 11 between them upon either one of two cars 12 13, eachadapted to run on four rails 14, laid transversely on the floor2 betweenopposing ends of the two series 3 4 of mold-preparing tables.

At a lower level and in front of the vulcanizing-press 6 there isprovided in the floor 2 a mold-cooling pit 15, in which a preferablydouble-decked elevator 16 is arranged to be raised and lowered,preferably, by hydraulic rams 17. The upper and lower decks of thiselevator preferably have respective rails 18 19, on which the cars 12 13may run from the main floor-rails 14. Short extension-rails 20, alinedwith the main rails 14 and the elevator-rails 18 19, are laid beyond thepit 15 to provide a temporary rest for empty cars run off the elevatorafter charging their loads of molds into the vulcanizer, as hereinaftermore fully explained.

The vulcaniZing-press 6 is made with a metal body or shell closed at itsback end and having at its front end a door 21, which is preferably madehingeless and is adapted to be removed and replaced by a hoistingapparatus of any approved construction, here represented by a shaft 22,having a drum 23 from a chain on which the door is slung and to I whichshaft power may be applied in any approved manner. Any other suitablemeans maybe used for quickly removing and replacing the door. I preferto provide the door 21 with a revoluble latch-ring 24, which has aseries of spaced lugs 25, having inclined faces adapted to interlockwith inclined or wed ging faces on a series of longitudinally-adjustablekeepers 26, held to a metal reinforcing-ring on the press-body andpermitting locking and unlocking of the door by turning the latch-ring alittle in opposite directions to engage and release the wedging faces ofthe door and press-body lugs and permit the slung door to be quickly andeasily opened and tightly closed. Further detailed description of thesedoor locking and unlocking devices is unnecessary, as they form thesubject-matter of a companion patent application filed of even dateherewith and having Serial No. 161,885.

The vulcanizing-press body is sustained preferably by the cylinders 27of a series of hydraulic presses, which are in turn supported by sidebrackets resting on metal beams 28. These cylinders 27 are supplied withwater under pressure from a series of pipes 29, leading from a commonsupply-pipe 30. Water admitted under the hydraulic press-rams forcestheir skeleton or grating heads 31 upward to clamp the charge of sixtire-molds 5 between the ram-heads and the opposing press-heads 32,which are held fixedly by posts 33 to the cylinders 27, the ram-heads 31being guided on and by these posts. These ram-heads preferably comprisea ring connected by four integral curved brackets with the body of theram. This skeleton or open-grating construction of the ram-heads 31allows free circulation through them of steam admitted to the pressbodythrough a series of pipes 34 to effect vulcanization of the rubber tiresor products in the clamped series of molds 5. The skeleton constructionof the ram-heads and the arrangement of the water and steam pipes arebest shown in Figs. 6, 8, and 10 of the drawings. The press-body willhave the usual steam-gage and thermometer, which it is not necessary toshow or describe.

To and between the upper ends of the hydraulic cylinders 27 at each sidethere are fixed a series of plates 35, in which are journaled transversemetal rollers 36, arranged in the spaces between the vertically-movableram-heads 31. The upper peripheries of these rollers normally stand orrotate a little above these heads 31 when the rams are fully lowered.The bearing-plates 35 also longitudinally stay the upper ends of thehydraulic cylinders 27 to each other and further serve to sustain lugs37 along one side of the vulcanizing-press 6. In these lugs is journaledwithin the press-body a longitudinal shaft 38, which passes through astuffing-box 39 at the closed back end of the press-body and carries anoutside pulley 40. Power is transmitted to this pulley by a belt 41,running from a pulley on a counter-shaft 42, which has twoclutch-pulleys 43 44 and an interposed clutch 45, provided with ashipper 46, adapted to throw the clutch into engagement with eitherpulley 43 or 4 1. A straight canize'r-door 21. is opened and thegrab-coupbelt 47 and a crossed belt 18 connect the pulleys +13 11,respectively, with fixed pulleys on a main driving-shaft '19, which maybe rotated by a belt running on its pulley 50. By moving the shipper 56to engage the clutch $5 with the pulleys 13 14 the counter-shaft 4:2,and consequently the press-shaft 38, may be caused to rotate in oppositedirections, and as the shaft 38 is geared to each of the pressrollers 36by bevel-gearing 51 these rollers also will have imparted to themrotations in opposite directions, as may be required for carrying thecharge of molds 5 into or out of the vulcanizer, the series of rollersconstituting an easy-working roller-carrier for the heavy stack ofmolds.

Each of the two cars 12 13 is provided with a series of transversemold-carrying rollers 52, which are connected revolubly by bevel-gearingwith a longitudinal shaft 51, journaled on the car body or frame. \Vhenthe vulcanizing'press door 21 is opened or removed, the car-shaft 51 isadapted to be connected to the press-shaft 38 by a grab-coupling tocause both shafts to rotate together, and thereby compel the stack ofmolds 5 to move along on the rollers from the car to the pressbody orfrom the press-bod y to the car, both series of rollers 52 and 36cooperating in this roller transfer of the molds in both directions.

The grab-coupling 55 preferably comprises a short hand-bar having onebored clutch-head 56, carrying two diametrically opposite radial ribs57, with either of which a pin 58 of a sliding clutch member 59 on thepress-shaft 38 may engage, and the opposite notched clutch-head 60 ofthe coupling is adapted to engage a correspondingly notched clutchmember 61 on the car-shaft 54. The clutch member 59 is splined to fit afeather 62 on the shaft 38 and is normally forced outward by a spring63, placed between it and a bearing 64 of said shaft. In applying thecoupling 55 its clutch-head 56 will be pressed against the clutch member59 to force it inward on the shaft 38 against the expanding tendency ofthe spring 63, and the other notched couplinghead 60 will then beengaged with the carshaft clutch 61 as the spring 63 is permitted toexpand and force the grab-coupling outward to connect both shafts 38 54together. This grab-coupling is best shown in Figs. 6, T, and S of thedrawings.

The operation of the complete apparatus may be summarized as follows:Let it be supposed that the car 12 is standing on the main rails 14:between the two series of tables 3 1 and that six molds filled withsixty tires at the tables 3 had been transferred therefrom by thetraveling hoists 9 10 to the car and had been stacked thereon withspacingbars 11 between them. The elevator 16 being down, this car 12 isrun along the rails 11 onto the upper-deck rails 18 of the elevator, andthe vulling 55 is applied to connect the car-shaft 54 with thevulcanizer-shaft 38. The shipper 16 now is operated to throw in gear theproper driving-pulley say the one 43 which causes rotation of the shafts38 52L in direction to turn the car-rollers 52 and the press-rollers 36forward for moving the load of six molds 5 from the car 12 into thevulcanizing-press 6, as will be understood from Figs. 6 and 9 of thedrawings. \Vhen the molds are rolled forward fully within thevulcanizer, the rotation of shafts 38 541 is stopped by uncoupling theshipper-clutch 15. The gral )-coupling 55 is now removed and thehydraulic press-rams are then raised by water-pressure at the pipes 3029 and will lift the stack of six molds from the press-rollers 36 andclamp them evenly between the ram-heads 31 and the fixed heads 32 tohold the molds securely closed. The door 21 may be lowered and applied.to close the vulcanizer either before or after the molds have beenclamped by the hydraulic rams. After the door is securely locked byturning its latch-ring 21 steam is admitted to the press through thepipes 34 to effect vulcanization of the tires in the molds Separatingthe molds by the spacing-bars 11 assures free circulation of steamaround all parts of the molds to vulcanize their rubber contentsuniformly and quickly. hen vulcanization is completed, steam is shut offand the door 21 is unlocked by reversely turning its latchring 21, thusleaving the door free to fall away from the end of the vulcanizer 6while suspended from the sling-hoist 22 23, which then will be operatedto again lift the door clear of the press, as shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings. It will be understood that after the load of molds 5 had beencharged into the vulca-nizer from the car 12 said car had been run offthe upper-deck elevator-rails 18 upon the extension-rails 20. \Vhile theabovenamed load of molds lately clmrged into the vulcanizer from the car12 is being subjected to vulcanizing heat, the preceding six molds whichhad been discharged hot from the vulcanizer upon the other car 13 whileit stood upon the lower-deck rails 19 of the elevator are submerged inwater in the cooling-pit 15. After the emptycar12has been moved overonto the rails 20 and when the submerged molds on said car 13 have beencooled in the pit 15 the elevator is raised by the hydraulic rams 17 tocarry said car on the lower deck of the elevator to the level of themain rails 14, these being the relative positions of the two cars 12 13.(Shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.) This carload 13 of cooled molds isnow run from the elevator upon the main rails 14 between the two seriesof tables 3 at to allow the molds to be taken from it by the travelinghoists 9 10 and deposited thereby upon the tables 3, from whichthelastchargc of molds had been taken to load the other car 12 and onwhich tables the cooled molds will be cleaned and refilled withrubber-tire stock. After the car 13, loaded with cooled molds, had beenlifted from the pit and run over onto the rails 14:, as above described,the empty car 12 is returned from the side rails onto the lower-deckelevatorrails 19, from which the car 13 had just moved, and said car 12now is ready to receive from the vulcanizer the last charge of molds 5it lately delivered to it after vulcanization of the tires in thesemolds is effected and steam is shut 011' from the pipes 34:. To permitthis mold discharge, the vulcanizer-door 21 is unlocked and then liftedby the hoist 22 23, and the water-pressure at pipes 29 is at the sametime relieved to allow the ram-heads 31 to fall, and thus unclamp themolds 5 and let them again rest upon the vulcanizer-rollers 36. Thecoupling now is applied to again connect the Vulcanizer and car-shafts38 54:, and the shipper 4:6 is moved to engage the clutch 15 with theother clutch-pulley 14., which will cause the vulcanizer and car-rollers38 54 to rotate backward to carry the load of hot molds 5 from therollers 36 of the vulcanizer and upon the rollers 52 of the car 12. Bythis time the other car, 13, has been loaded with molds 5, which hadbeen filled or prepared at the other series of tables 4 and stands onthe rails 14 next the raised elevator, which after the coupling 55 hasbeen removed from the shaft 54 of car 12 is quickly lowered to carry thecar-load 12 of hot molds down into the cooling-pit 15, and the car 13,with its load of-newly-filled molds, is then at once run upon theupper-deck rails 18 of the elevator, these being the relative positionsof the two loaded cars shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The coupling 55now is quickly applied to'connect the vulcanizer-shaft 38 with the shaft54 of the car 13, and the shipper 4.6 is again moved to engage clutches45 4:3 to cause forward rotation of the car and vulcanizer-rollers 52 36to move the load of molds forward from the .car 13 into the vulcanizer 6ready for clamp- 13 had received its last load of molds, which are nowin the vulcanizer, and so on in successive cycles of operations, the twocars be ing successively loaded and the contents of their respectivemolds successively vulcanized and the two cars being successivelylowered into the pit 15 for cooling their loads of hot molds andsuccessively raised and run off upon the rails 1 1 to allow the cooledmolds to be transferred by the traveling hoists 9 10 to the respectiveseries of tables 3 4 to be thereon cleaned and refilled with green tiresor other rubber goods in readiness for vulcanization. In the preferredmethod or sequence of operations the hot molds always are dischargedfrom the vulcanizer onto cars standing on the lower deck of theelevator, and the molds always are charged into the vulcanizer from carsstanding on the upper deck of the elevator.

It is obvious that only a few minutes need elapse between the opening ofthe vulcanizerdoor to permit discharge of one series of hot molds ontoone car and the closing of the door after charging another series offreshly-filled molds into the vulcanizer from the other car. Thereconsequently is very little waste of heat, as the vulcanizer cools butslightly during the brief time its door is open. The vulcanizing ofsuccessive charges of tires in the molds thus is made nearly continuous,whereby a great saving of time, labor, and fuel is effected as comparedwith the operation of other apparatus of this general character.

It is not new to subject dental flasks or molds to constantspring-pressure to hold them closed during vulcanization of their rubbercontents by heat circulating around the molds placed in aheating-chamber; but this prior method is best adapted for vulcanizingrubber goods having small bulk, mass, or area and is not well adaptedfor economically and satisfactorily vulcanizing bulky or massive rubberstock, such as vehicle-wheel tires made either in straight lengths, asherein shown, or in the annular form shown in other applications forpatents filed by me of even date herewith, Serial Nos. 161,886 and161,888. Such massive rubber stock has heretofore been vulcanized inmolds the parts of which are clamped together all around the margin bynumerous bolts tightened only by considerable timeconsuming, arduous,and expensive labor prior to placing the molds in a steam or heatingchamber for effecting vulcanization by the aid of steam or heatcirculating directly around the molds in said chamber. Notwithstandingthe care necessarily taken in thus tightening the molds bymarginally-disposed bolts the internal pressures arising while curingmassive rubber stock in such bolt-locked molds are at times sufiicientto buckle or burst the heaviest molds, particularly at their centralareas, which are distant more or less from the marginal clamping-bolts.It is common also to place molds containing massive rubber stock, suchas vehicle-wheel tires, between closed steam-chambers and to compresssaid chambers and the intervening molds by hydraulic pres sure; but thismethod of curing is not certain to assure uniform vulcanization of allparts of the rubber stock, because the heat is greater at the top andbottom of the molds than at their edges, which are exposed to theatmosphere. By my apparatus and method a stack of molds separatedbycross-bars are placed with- Apparatus of the character described, 5 ina heating or steam chamber, and free circomprising mold preparingtables, tracks culation of uniform vulcanizing heat is asabove thetables, one or more mold-cars, travsured at and around practically allparts of eling hoists on said overhead tracks adapted to 5 themolds,while they are clamped for substantransfer the molds from thetables to the cars tially their whole area by heavy pressure comand backto the tables. a vulcanizer, a mold- 7 pensating for change in mass ofthe rubber l cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower products inthe molds under influence of the the mold-loaded cars into the pit andto raise applied heat. 1 am thus able always to obtain them therefrom.

10 a perfectly and uniformly vul anized rubber Apparatus of thecharacter described,

product without warping or bursting of even comprising mold preparingtables, tracks 75 the largest molds and in very much less time above thetables,one or more mold-cars, traveland with farless labor thanusuallyis required. ing hoists on said overhead tracks adapted to Afterthe proper pressure per square inch retransfer the molds from the tablesto the cars quired for any given size or composition of and back to thetables, a vulcanizer, a moldtires or other rubber goods in the molds iscooling pit, an elevator adapted to lower the 80 calculated and thevalve admitting water to mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise themthe rams is set to obtain such pressure on therefrom, and rails for theears extending the molds the rams automatically adjust fromthemold-tables to and upon the elevator.

themselves to compensate change in mass of 5. Apparatus of the characterdescribed,

the rubber contents of the molds during the comprising one or moremold-cars, a vulcan- 5 entire vulcanization process and without reizer,a mold-cooling pit disposed at a lower adjusting the valve or any otherpart of the level directly in front of the vulcanizer, and apparatus. anelevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded Tlhedrawings representapparatusincluding cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

the most complete and preferred embodiment 6. Apparatus of the characterdescribed, 9 of my invention; but l state that the use of comprising oneor more mold-cars, a vulcanrails for the mold cars or carriages is notesizer, a mold-cooling pit disposed at a lower sential, nor is itnecessary that the elevator at level directly in front of thevulcanizer, an

0 the cooling-pit have two decks, and one or elevatoradaptcd to lowerthe mold-loaded cars more mold cars or carriages may be used withintothe pit and to raise them therefrom, and 95 out departing from thespirit of my invention. rails upon which the mold-cars run to trans- Theinvention may also be otherwise modified fer the molds to and from theelevator and by the skilled mechanic within the scope of the vulcanizer.

appended claims. 7. Apparatus of the character described,

I have made a separate patent application, comprising mold -preparingtables, tracks I00 which is a division of this one and has Serial abovethe tables,one or more mold-cars, travel- No. 177,925, liled October 21,1903, and more ing hoists on said tracks adapted to transferparticularly describes and claims the special the molds from the tablesto the cars and back novel features of the horizontal vulcanizer, inl tothe tables, a vulcanizer, a mold-cooling pit cluding the means forcharging it with pre- 3 disposed at a lower level directly in front of 5pared molds from the mold-cars and for disl the vulcanizer, and anelevator adapted to charging the hot molds from it upon the cars, lowerthe mold-loaded cars into the pit and to and as dissociated from themold-tables, the raise them therefrom.

traveling hoists, the cooling-pit, and the elel 8. Apparatus of thecharacter described,

vator with which the vulcanizer and the means l comprisingmold-preparing tables, tracks IIO for charging and discharging it andfor comi above the tables.oneor more mold-cars, travelpressing the moldsare legitimately combined ing hoists on said overhead tracks adapted toor correlated in the complete apparatus herein transfer the molds fromthe tables to the cars 7 5 described and claimed. and back to thetables, a vulcanizer, a mold- I claim as my invention l coolingpitdisposed at alower level directlyin 5 1. Apparatus of the characterdescribed, front of the vulcanizer, an elevator adapted comprising oneor more mold-cars, a vuleanto lower the mold-loaded cars into the pitand izer, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adaptto raise themtherefrom, and rails for the cars ed to lower the mold-loaded cars intothe pit 1 extending from the mold-tablesto and upon the and to raisethem therefrom. l elevator. I20

Apparatus of the character described, 9. Apparatus of the characterdescribed, comprising one or more mold-cars, a vulcan- 1 comprisingmold-cars, a vulcanizer, a moldizer, a mold-cooling pit, an elevatorhaving cooling pit, and a double -decked elevator rails for themold-cars and adapted to lower adapted to receive on its lower deck thecars the moldloaded cars into the pit and to raise 1 and the moldsdischarged upon them from the 5 them therefrom, and rails upon which thevulcanizer and to lower said cars with their mold-cars run to transferthe molds to and loads of hot molds into the cooling-pit, said from theelevator and vulcanizer. elevator also adapted to receive on its upperdeck car-loads of newly-prepared molds ready for charging these moldsfrom the cars into the vulcanizer.

10. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars, avulcanizer, a moldcooling pit, and a double-decked elevator having railson both'decks for the cars and adapted to support on its lower-deckrails the cars and the molds discharged on them from the vulcanizer andto lower said cars with their loads of hot molds into the cooling-pit,said elevator also adapted to support on its upper-deck rails car-loadsof newly-prepared molds ready for charging these molds from the carsinto the vulcanizer, and rails upon which the moldcars run to transferthe molds to and from the elevator and vulcanizer.

11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer, amold-coolingpit, and adouble-decked elevator adapted to receive on its lower deck the cars andthe molds discharged on them from the vulcanizer and to lower said carswith their loads of hot molds into the cooling-pit, said elevator alsoadapted to receive on its upper deck the cars and the newly-preparedmolds loaded on them by the traveling hoists ready for charging thesemolds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

12. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold cars, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer, a mold-cooling pit, and adouble-decked elevator having rails on both decks for the cars andadapted to support on its lower-deck rails the cars and the moldsdischarged on them from the vulcanizer and to lower said cars with theirloads of hot molds into the cooling-pit, said elevator also adapted tosupport on its upper-deck rails the cars and the newly-prepared moldsloaded on them by the traveling hoists ready for charging these moldsfrom the cars into the vulcanizer, and rails for the cars extending fromthe mold-tables to the elevator;

13. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars, avulcanizer having interior means adapted to automatically transfer moldsinto and out of it from and to the cars, a mold cooling pit, and anelevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raisethem therefrom.

1 Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into andout of it from and to the cars, a mold-cooling pit, and anelevatoradapted to lower the mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raisethem therefrom.

15. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into andout of it from and to the cars, means adapted to couple for simultaneousoperation the car-loadpropelling means and the vulcanizermoldtransferring means, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted tolower the mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

16. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars,a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loadedcars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

17. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars,a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loadedcars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

18. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars,means adapted to couple for simultaneous operation thecar-load-propelling means and the vuloaniZer-mold-transferring means, amold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded carsinto the pit and to raise them therefrom.

19. Apparatus of the character described,

' comprising mold-cars, a vulcanizer having interior means adapted toautomatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars, amold-cooling pit, an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded cars intothe pit and to raise them therefrom, and rails upon which the mold-carsrun to transfer the molds to and from the elevator and vulcanizer.

20. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into andout of it from and to the cars, a mold-cooling pit, an elevator adaptedto lower the mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom,

and rails upon which the mold-ears run to transfer the molds to and fromthe elevator and vulcanizer.

21. Apparatus of the character described,

comprising mold-cars having means adapted to automatically propel theirloads of molds, avulcanizer having interior means adapted toautomatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars,means adapted to couple for simultaneous operation thecarload-propelling means and the vulcanizermold-transferring means, amold-cooling pit, an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded cars intothe pit and to raise them therefrom, and rails upon which the mold-carsrun to transfer the molds to and from the elevator and vulcanizer.

22. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, moldcars, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to theears and back to the tables, a vuleanizer having'interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars,a moldcooling pit, an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded carsinto the pit and to raise them i therefrom, and rails upon which themold-cars run to transfer the molds to and from the tables, the elevatorand the vulcanizer.

23. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold ars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer mohls into and out of it from and to the cars,a mold-cooling pit, an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded carsinto the pit and to raise them therefrom, and rails upon which themold-cars run to transfer the molds to and from the tables, the elevatorand the vulcanizer.

24:. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold -cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars,means adapted to couple for simultaneous operation thecar-load-propelling means and the vulcanizer-mold-transferring means, amold-cooling pit, an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded cars intothe pit and to raise them therefrom, and rails upon which the mold-carsrun to transfer the molds to and from the tables, the elevator and thevulcanizer.

Apparatus of the character described,

comprising mold-cars, a vulcanizer having interior means adapted toautomatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars, amold-cooling pit, and a double-decked elevator adapted to support on itslower deck the cars and the molds discharged upon them from thevulcanizer and to lower said ars with their loads of hot molds into thecoolingpit, said elevator being also adapted to receive on its upperdeck car-loads of newly-prepared molds read y for charging these moldsfrom the cars into the vulcanizer.

26. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into andout of it from and to the cars, a mold-cooling pit, and a double-deckedelevator adapted to support on its lower deck the cars and the moldsdischarged upon them from the vulcanizer and to lower said cars withtheir loads of hot molds into the cooling-pit, said elevator being alsoadapted to receive on its upper deck car-loads of newly-prepared moldsready for charging these molds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

27. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into andout of it from and to the cars, means adapted to couple for simultaneousoperation the carload propelling means and thevulcanizermold-transferring means, a mold-cooling pit, and adouble-decked elevator adapted to support on its lower deck the cars andthe molds discharged upon them from the vulcanizer and to lower saidcars with their loads of hot molds into the cooling-mt, said elevatorbeing also adapted to receive on its upper deck car-loads ofnewly-prepared molds ready for charging these molds from the cars intothe vulcanizer.

28. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it fromand to the cars,amoldcooling pit, and a double-decked, elevator adapted to support onits lower deck the cars and the molds discharged on them from thevulcanizer and to lower said cars with their loads of hot molds into thecooling-pit, said elevator being also adapted to support on its upperdeck car-loads of newly-prepared molds ready for charging these moldsfrom the cars into the vulcanizer.

29. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars,a mold-cooling pit, and a double-decked elevator adapted to support onits lower deck the cars and the molds discharged on them from thevulcanizer and to lower said cars with their loads of hot molds into thecooling-pit, said elevator being also adapted to support on its upperdeck car-loads of newly-prepared molds ready for charging these moldsfrom the cars into the vulcanizer.

30. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars,means adapted to couple for simultaneous operation thecar-load-propelling means and the vulcanizer-mold-transferring means, amold-cooling pit, and a doubledecked elevator adapted to support on itslower deck the cars and the molds discharged on them from the vulcanizerand to lower said cars with their loads of hot molds into thecooling-pit, said elevator being also adapted to support on its upperdeck car-loads of newly -prepared molds ready for charging these moldsfrom the cars into the vulcanizer.

31. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars, avulcanizer having interior means adapted to compress molds charged intoit from the cars, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lowerthe moldloaded cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

32. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars, avulcanizer having interior means adapted to automatically transfer moldsinto and out of it from and to the cars and also having interior meansadapted to compress molds charged into it from the cars, a mold-coolingpit, and an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded cars into the pitand to raise them therefrom.

33. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to compress molds charged into it from thecars, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower themold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

34. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into andout of it from and to the cars and also having interior means adapted tocompress molds charged into it from the cars, a mold-cooling pit, and anelevator adapted to lower the moldloaded cars into the pit and to raisethem therefrom.

35. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars. havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into andout of it from and to the cars and also having interior means adapted tocompress molds charged into it from the cars, means adapted to couplefor simultaneous operation the car-load-propelling means and thevulcanizer-mold-transferring means, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevatoradapted to lower the mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise themtherefrom.

36. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars, a vulcanizer having interior means adapted to compress moldscharged into it from the cars, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevatoradapted to lower the mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise themtherefrom to permit return of the cooled molds from the cars to thetables by the traveling hoists.

37. Apparatus of thecharacter described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars, a Vulcanizer having interior means adapted to antomaticallytransfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars and also havinginterior means adapted to compress molds charged into it from the cars,a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loadedcars into the pit and to raise them therefrom to permit return of thecooled molds from the cars to the tables by the traveling hoists.

38. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars, a vulcanizer having interior means adapted to compress moldscharged into it from the cars, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevatoradapted to lower the mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise themtherefrom to permit return of the cooled molds from the cars to thetables by the traveling hoists.

39. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, moldcars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars, a vulcanizer having interior means adapted to automaticallytransfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars and also havinginterior means adapted to compress molds charged into it from the cars,a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loadedcars into the pit and to raise them therefrom to pcrmitreturn of thecooled molds from the cars to the tables by the traveling hoists.

l0. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars, a vulcanizer having interior means adapted to automaticallytransfer molds into and out of it from and to the cars and also havinginterior means adapted to compress molds charged into it from the cars,

means adapted to couple for simultaneous op eration thecar-loadpropelling means and the vulcanizer-mold-transferring means, amoldcooling pit. and an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded carsinto the pit and to raise them therefrom to permit return of the cooledmolds from the cars to the tables by the traveling hoists.

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars. avulcanizer having interior means adapted to compress molds charged intoit from the cars, a mold-cooling pit, and a double-decked elevatoradapted to support on its lower deck the cars and the molds dischargedon them from the vulcanizer and to lower said cars with their loads ofhot molds into the cooling-pit, said elevator also adapted to receive onits upper deck car-loads of newly-prepared molds ready for chargingthese molds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

a2; Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingmeans adapted to automatically propel their loads of molds, a vulcanizerhaving interior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into andout of it from and to the cars and also having interio r means adaptedto compress molds charged into it from the cars, a mold-cooling pit, anda double-decked elevator adapted to support on its lower deck the carsand the molds discharged on them from the vulcanizer and to lower saidcars with their loads of hot molds into the cooling-pit, said elevatoralso adapted to receive on its upper deck car-loads of newlypreparedmolds ready for charging these molds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

l3. Apparatus of the character described,

pelling means and the vulcanizer-mold-transferring means, a mold-coolingpit, and a double-decked elevator adapted to support on its lower deckthe cars and the molds discharged on them from the vulcanizer and tolower said cars with their loads of hot molds into the cooling-pit, saidelevator being also adapted to receive on its upper deck car-loads ofnewlyprepared molds ready for charging these molds from the cars intothe vulcanizer.

4st. Apparatus of the character described,

1 comprising mold preparing tables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars,traveling hoists on said overhead tracks adapted to transfer the moldsfrom the tables to the cars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer havinginterior means adapted to automatically transfer molds into and out ofit from and to the cars and also having interior means adapted tocompress molds charged into it from the cars, a moldcooling pit, and adouble decked elevator adapted to support on its lower deck the cars andthe molds discharged on them from the vulcanizer and to lower said carswith their loads of hot molds into the cooling-pit, said elevator beingalso adapted to receive on its upper deck car-loads of newly-preparedmolds ready for charging these molds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

45. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the carsand also having interior means adapted to compress molds charged into itfrom the cars, a mold-cooling pit, and a doubledecked elevator adaptedto support on its lower deck the ca rs and the molds discharged on themfrom the vulcauizer and to lower said cars with their loads of hot moldsinto the cooling-pit, said elevator being also adapted to receive on itsupper deck car-loads of newly-prepared molds ready for charging thesemolds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

46. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks above the tables, mold-cars having means adapted toautomatically propel their loads of molds, traveling hoists on saidoverhead tracks adapted to transfer the molds from the tables to thecars and back to the tables, a vulcanizer having interior means adaptedto automatically transfer molds into and out of it from and to the carsand also having interior means adapted to compress molds charged into itfrom the cars, means adapted to couple for simultaneous operation thecar load propelling means and the vulcanizeranold-transferring means, amold-cooling pit, and a double-decked elevator adapted to support on itslower deck IIO the cars and the molds discharged on them from thevulcanizer and to lower said cars with their loads of hot molds into thecoolingpit, said elevator being also adapted to receive on its upperdeck car-loads of newlyprepared molds ready for charging these moldsfromthe cars into the vulcanizer.

47. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars, ahorizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38, andgearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers simultaneously in oppositedirections to transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizer and back tothe cars, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower themold-loaded cars into 7 the pit and to raise them therefrom.

A8. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingrollers 52, ashaft 5 1, and gearing 53 adapted to rotate the rollers 52simultaneously in opposite direction to k propel the car-loads of moldscorrespondingly,

a horizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36,. a shaft 38, andgearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneously in oppositedirections to transfer molds from the cars to ,the'vulcanizer and backto the cars, detachthe molds from the tables to the cars andreturntherrnoi ds from the cars to the tables, a

horizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38, andgearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneously in oppositedirections to transfer molds from the cars to iv theyulcanizer and backto the cars, a moldcooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower themold-loaded-cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

50. Apparatus of the character described. comprising mold-preparingtables, tracks 7 above the tables, mold-cars having rollers 52, a shaft5 1, and gearing'53 adapted to rotate the rollers 52 simultaneously inopposite directions to propel the car-loads of molds correspondingl y,traveling hoists running on the tracks 7 and adapted to load the moldsfrom the tables to the cars and return the molds from. the cars to thetables, a horizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38,and gearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneously inopposite directions to transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizerand back to the cars,detachable devices adapted to couple forsimultaneous operation the shafts 38, 5 1 of the vulcanizer and cars, amold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower the mold-loaded carsinto the pit and to raise them therefrom.

51. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars, ahorizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38, andgearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers simultaneously in oppositedirections to transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizer and back tothe cars, said vulcanizer also having rams 31 and opposing heads 32between which the molds are compressed, a mold-cooling pit, and anelevator adapted to lower the moldloaded cars into the pit and to raisethem therefrom.

52. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingrollers 52, a shaft 54:, and gearing 53 adapted to rotate the rollers 52simultaneously in opposite directions to propel the car-loads of moldscorrespondingly, a horizontal vulcanizer havinginterior rollers 36, ashaft 38, and gearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneouslyin opposite directions to transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizerand back tothe cars, detachable devices adapted to couple forsimultaneous operation the shafts 38, 5 1 of the vul canizer and cars,said vulcanizer also having rams 31 and opposing heads 32 between whichthe molds are compressed, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted tolower the moldloaded cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

53. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-preparingtables, tracks 7 above the tables, mold-cars, traveling hoists runningon the tracks 7 and adapted to load the molds from the tables to thecars and return the molds from the cars to the tables, a horizontalvulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38, and gearing 51adapted'to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneously in opposite directionsto transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizer and back to the cars,said vulcanizer also having rams 31 and opposing heads 32 between whichthe molds are compressed, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted tolower the mold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

5 1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold preparingtables, tracks 7 above the tables, mold-cars having rollers 52, ashaft 51, and gearing 53 adapted to rotate the rollers 52 simultaneously inopposite directions to propel the car-loads of molds correspondingly,traveling hoists running on the tracks 7 and adapted to load the moldsfrom the tables to the cars and return the molds from the cars to thetables, a horizontal vul- ITO canizer having interior rollers 36, ashaft 38,

Lil

pressed, a mold-cooling pit, and an elevator adapted to lower themold-loaded cars into the pit and to raise them therefrom.

55. Apparatus of the character described, comprising moldcars, ahorizontal vulcanizer havinginterior rollers 36, a shaft 38, and gearing51 adapted to rotate the rollers simultaneously in opposite directionsto transfer the molds from the cars to the vulcanizer and back to thecars, said vulcanizer also having rams 31 and opposing heads 32 betweenwhich the molds are compressed, a mold-cooling pit, and a double-deckedelevator adapted to support on its lower deck the cars and the moldsdischarged upon them from the vulcanizer and to lower said cars withtheir loads of hotmolds into the cooling-pit, said elevator being alsoadapted to receive on its upper deck cars loaded with newly-preparedmolds read for charging these molds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

56. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-cars havingrollers 52, a shaft 51, and gearing 53 adapted to rotate the rollers 52simultaneously in opposite directions to propel the car-loads of moldscorrespondingly, a horizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, ashaft 38, and gearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneouslyin opposite directions to transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizerand back to the cars, detachable devices adapted to couple forsimultaneous operation the shafts 38, 5a of the vulcanizer and cars,said vulcanizer also having rams 31 and opposing heads 32 between whichthe molds are compressed, a mold-cooling pit, and a double-deckedelevator adapted to support on its lower deck the cars and the moldsdischarged upon them from the vulcanizer and to lower said cars withtheir loads of hot molds into the cooling-pit, said elevator being alsoadapted to receive on its upper deck cars loaded with newly-preparedmolds ready for charging these molds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

57. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-preparingtables, tracks 7 above the tables, mold-cars, traveling hoists runningon the tracks 7 and adapted to load the molds from the tables to thecars and return the molds from the cars to the tables, a horizontalvulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38, and gearing 51adapted to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneously in opposite directionsto transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizer and back to the cars,said vulcanizer also having rams 31 and opposing heads 32 between whichthe molds are comed to receive on its upper deck cars loaded with lnewly-prepared molds ready for charging these moldsfrom the cars intothe vulcanizer.

58. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-preparingtables, tracks 7 above the tables, mold-cars having rollers 52, a shaft54, and gearing 53 adapted to rotate the rollers 52 simultaneously inopposite directions to propel the car-loads of molds correspondingly,traveling hoists running on the tracks 7 and adapted to load the moldsfrom the tables to the cars and return the molds from the cars to thetables, a horizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38,and gearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneously inopposite directions to transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizerand back to the cars, detachable devices adapted to couple forsimultaneous operation the shafts 38, 54 f the vulcanizer and cars, saidvulcanizer also having rams 31 and opposing heads 32 between which themolds are compressed, a mold-cooling pit, and a doubledecked elevatoradapted to support on its lower deck the cars and the molds dischargedupon them from the vulcanizer and to lower said cars with their loads ofhot molds into the cooling-pit, said elevator being also adapted toreceive on its upper deck cars loaded with newly-prepared molds readyfor charging these molds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

59. Apparatus of the character described, comprising mold-preparingtables, tracks 7 above the tables, rails l t--20 on the table-floor,mold-cars adapted to said rails and having rollers 52, a shaft andgearing adapted to rotate the rollers 52 simultaneously in oppositedirections to propel the car-loads of molds correspondingly, travelinghoists running on the tracks '7 and adapted to load the molds from thetables to the cars and return the molds from the cars to the tables, ahorizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38, andgearing 51 adapted to rotate the rollers 36 simultaneously in oppositedirections to transfer molds from the cars to the vulcanizer and back tothe cars, detachable devices adapted to couple for simultaneousoperation the shafts 38, 51 of the vulcanizer and cars, said vulcanizeralso having rams 31 and opposing heads 32 between which the molds arecompressed, a mold-cooling pit, and a double-decked elevator 16 havingupper-deck rails 18 and lower-deck rails 19 laid for alinement with thel'lOOPl'iUls 1%20, said elevator being adapted to support on itslower-deck rails 19 the cars and the molds discharged upon them from thevulcanizer and to lower said cars with their loads of molds into thecoolingpit, the elevator being also adapted to receive on its upper-deckrails 18 cars loaded with newly-prepared molds ready for charging thesemolds from the cars into the vulcanizer.

60. A horizontal vulcanizer having interior means adapted toautomatically transfer molds into and out of it, combined with amold-car having means adapted to automatically propel its load of molds,and means adapted to couple for simultaneous operation thecar-loadpropelling means and the vulcanizer-moldtransferring means.

61. A horizontal vulcanizer having an interior roller-carrier for themolds including means rotating the carrier-rollers simultaneously eitherforward or backward, combined with a mold-car having a roller-carrierincluding means for rotating its rollers simultaneously either forwardor backward, and means adapted to couple for simultaneous operation thevulcanizer mold-transferring roller car rier and the car-load-propellingroller-carrier.

62. A horizontal vulcanizer having an interior-roller-carrier for themolds including a longitudinal shaft and gearing coupling thecarrier-rollers to the shaft for simultaneous rotation either forward orbackward, combined with a mold-car having a roller-carrier including alongitudinal shaft and gearing coupling the carrier-rollers to the shaftfor simultaneous rotation either forward or backward, and a detachablecoupling adapted to couple the roller-carrier shafts of the vulcanizerand car.

63. Ahorizontal vulcanizing-press having interior means adapted toautomatically transfer molds into and out of it and also having interiormeans adapted to clamp a charge of molds and hold them closed duringvulcanization of their contents, combined with a moldcar having meansadapted automatically to propel its load of molds, and means adapted tocouple for simultaneous operation the vulcanizer-mold-transferring meansand the carload-propelling means.

64. A horizontal vulcanizing-press having an. interior roller-carrierfor the molds including means rotating the carrier-rollerssimultaneously either forward or backward, and also having interiormeans adapted to clamp a charge of molds and hold them closed duringvulcanization of their contents, combined with a mold-car having aroller-carrier for the molds including means rotating the carrierrollerssimultaneously either forward or backward, and means adapted to couplefor simultaneous operation the vulcanizermoldtransferring roller-carrierand the car-load-propelling roller-carrier.

65. A horizontal vulcanizing-press having an interior roller-carrier forthe molds including a longitudinal shaft and gearing coupling thecarrier-rollers to the shaft for simultaneous rotation either forward orbackward, and also having interior means adapted to clamp a charge ofmolds and hold them closed during vulcanization of their contents,combined with a mold-car having a roller-carrier for the molds includinga longitudinal shaft and gearing coupling the carrier-rollers to theshaft for simultaneousrotation either forward or backward, and adetachable coupling adapted to couple the roller-carrier shafts of thevulcanizer and car.

66. A horizontal vulcanizing-press having interior means adaptedautomatically to transfer molds into and out of it and also having aseries of rams and opposing heads between which molds may be held closedwithin the vulcanizing-chamber, combined with a moldcar having meansadapted automatically to propel its load of molds, and means adapted tocouple for simultaneous operation the vulcanizer-mold-transferring meansand the carload-propelling'means.

67. A horizontal vulcanizing-press having an interior roller-carrier forthe molds including means rotating the carrier-rollers simultaneouslyeither forward or backward, and also having a series of rams andopposing heads between which molds may be held closed within thevulcanizing-chamber, combined with a mold-car having a roller-carrierfor themolds including means rotating the carrier-rollers simultaneouslyeither forward or backward, and means adapted to couple for simultaneousoperation the vulcanizermoldtransferring roller carrier and the carloadpropelling roller-carrier.

68. A horizontal vulcanizing-press having an interior roller-carrier forthe molds including a longitudinal shaft and gearing coupling thecarrier-rollers to the shaft for simultaneous rotation either forward orbackward, and also havinga series of rams and opposingheads betweenwhich molds may be held closed with in the vulcanizing-chamber, combinedwith a mold-car having a roller-carrier for the molds including alongitudinal shaft and gearing coupling the carrier-rollers to the shaftfor simultaneous rotation either forward or backward, and a detachablecoupling adapted to couple the roller-carrier shafts of the vulcanizerand car.

69. A horizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38, andgearing 51, combined with a mold-car having rollers 52, a shaft 54, andgearing 53, and means adapted to couple the shafts 38, 5 forsimultaneously rotating the vulcanizer and the car-rollers eitherforward or backward.

7 O. A horizontal vulcanizer having interior rollers 36, a shaft 38having a splined coupling member 58-59 and a spring 63, and gearing 51engaging the rollers 36 and shaft 38, combined with a mold-car havingrollers 52 a shaft 5 having a coupling member 61, gearing 53 engagingthe rollers 52 and shaft 54, and a grabcoupling 55 having end portions61., 57 adapted to couple the vulcanizer and the car-shafts 38, 5A, forassuring simultaneous operation of the roller-carriers of the vulcanizerand car.

EDWIN COUPLAND SHAW.

Witnesses:

ALVIN K. GooDwIN, OLIVER WILLIAMS.

roe

